This lecture course covers the history of Britain in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Topics include: British society and politics in the 18th century; 18th century economic and cultural change; industrialization and the making of modern class identities; the impact of the French revolution on British politics; regional differences and the histories of Scotland and Wales; the "Irish question" in the 19th and 20th centuries; the development of working class politics; Liberalism, Conservatism, and the emergence of Labour politics; gender and the activities and ideas of women; sexuality in the 19th and 20th centuries; imperialism, science, and the ideas about race; the position and activities of Blacks and Asians in Britain; social and cultural modernity; the impact of the two world wars; Britain in the post-colonial era; British-American relations; youth in Britain in the post-war era; the sixties and seventies; Thatcherism; and contemporary British social, political, and cultural movements. Assignments will include several short papers; sections; and a take-home final. No special background is required, but familiarity with modern European history would be very useful. Readings will include both primary and secondary materials and both historical and literary sources.

Syllabi are available to current LSA students. IMPORTANT: These syllabi are provided to give students a general idea about the courses, as offered by LSA departments and programs in prior academic terms. The syllabi do not necessarily reflect the assignments, sequence of course materials, and/or course expectations that the faculty and departments/programs have for these same courses in the current and/or future terms.